Granite vs Man-Made Stone



Granite vs man-made stone: side-by-side comparison

QUESTION:

We are remodeling our kitchen countertops and getting answers all over the place about man-made stone, granite, and different countertop materials.

This one chips… $35 more per square foot for that one... this one stains, etc. Bottom line answer…

Which is better, a granite countertop or man-made stone? And does granite cost more than quartz or man-made stone?

ANSWER:

Historically, people choose granite more often than man-made stone. Luxury home builders install granite countertops far more than quartz countertops. So there's one answer to give you an idea of which is considered better.

But that's definitely not the whole story!

Granite's dominance has slipped some and there's much more to the equation now.

Both natural stone and man-made materials are excellent choices for kitchen countertops, still, it's important to consider all variables when deciding which is right for you.

Below I compare the cost, durability, maintenance, colors and boil it down to the most important consideration.

Related Content:
Quartz countertops vs. granite vs. Corian
Quartz vs Quartzite Countertops

Let’s define the countertop materials we are comparing.

What is Granite?

Granite is a naturally occurring rock formed in the earth’s crust from the cooling of lava composed of quartz, feldspar, mica and other minerals. The exact mix of minerals determines the granite color and pattern.

Large granite blocks are extracted from quarries and sawed into slabs that are then cut to make bathroom and kitchen countertops.

Manufacturing is required to produce granite countertops but the material itself is “natural” vs. man-made materials used to make other types of countertops.

Types of Man-Made Stone

Not all types of man-made countertops are considered man-made “stone."

Laminate, epoxy counters Corian, cultured marble, metal, recycled glass, paper, porcelain, butcher block, and concrete countertops are all man-made.

Is a quartz countertop man-made? Yes. And when speaking of man-made “stone” we mean specifically “quartz countertops” also known as “engineered stone”.

Not a fake granite countertop. It's intended to look and perform similarly to its natural counterpart - granite.

Corian and solid surface countertops can be included as a man-made “stone," since stone aggregate is a component. But the percentage of stone in the mix is much less, and solid-surface doesn’t have the look, feel, or performance similar to granite that quartz does.

What are the different types of quartz countertops?

Quartz is the one main type of man-made stone countertop. However, many “brands” make quartz countertops.

Here’s a list of engineered stone countertop brands:
  • Cambria Quartz

  • Caesarstone

  • Silestone

  • Zodiac (Corian Quartz)

  • Daltile

  • LG Viatera

  • Hanstone

That’s not all, but the main ones. The top 4 dominate the market.

The composition of a quartz countertop is basically the same no matter which brand you buy.

All are 93% quartz and 7% binding resins and pigments following the original patented formula from the Brenton Company.

The different types of quartz countertops come down to the different colors, patterns, and finishes each brand develops. The quartz countertop material itself is the same across most brands.

When comparing granite vs. quartz countertops... this encompasses all brands as one.

Cost of Granite Countertops vs. Man-Made Stone

Granite prices span a wider range. Supply and demand. Some granite colors are plentiful - others not. Some popular - others not. Prices follow accordingly.

Granite Countertop Costs

Installed costs for granite run from $35 up to $200 per sq. ft., but the majority are in the $50-$80 range.

  • The average granite countertop cost is $45 - $65 / sq. ft.

Quality of everything can vary too. That's why you'll see signs for $25 sq ft. granite... avoid these.

Costs of Man-Made Stone

Quartz countertops costs are in the same range as granite, but the average cost of quartz tends to run higher.

Manufactured stone countertops like Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, and Zodiac run about $45 - $120.

  • The average quartz countertop costs $65-$90 / sq. ft.

"Why is that so?", you may ask when they can make as much or as little as demand dictates.

Consider that quartz and other
man-made countertop manufacturers are wanting to lure customers away from granite by trying to position themselves as equal or superior to granite in every way.

Man-made stone has many of the same costs as granite such as transporting slabs and storage at local warehouses. Granite must be quarried, but quartz must be manufactured. Either way carries significant costs.

The final countertop fabrication is the same cost-wise.

Still, some particular colors and patterns of quartz countertops will be more or less expensive just like granite.

How Installation Specifics Affect Prices

Installation variables like edge style, sink and cooktop cutouts, and slab thickness, will contribute to overall costs with both materials resulting in an average "range" of prices.

You may get a big difference in price either way depending on the particular colors of granite and man-made stone you are comparing... granite more than quartz.... or quartz more than the granite.

Always compare apples to apples when getting quotes meaning all variables other than the countertop material itself must be the same.

Quartz vs. Granite Cleaning and Maintenance

A lot of marketing goes into making it seem like there's a huge difference between granite and quartz cleaning, but really it's small details.

Sealing & Staining

Man-made quartz doesn't need sealing and is very stain-resistant. But it can be discolored by some chemicals.

What isn’t well-known is that many granite countertops (darker colors) are also stain-resistant and don't need sealing either.

The sealing and stain comparison is not a big deal... pros & cons of both countertop materials.

  • Most (but not all) granites need sealing

  • Granite can stain but sealing will largely prevent this

  • Some granites do not need sealing and are naturally stain-resistant

  • Quartz countertops do not need sealing

  • Foods and drinks do not stain quartz easily but sometimes can

  • Some chemicals and cleaners will discolor quartz but not granite

There's no clear advantage unless you compare a granite that is very porous and stains easily, which are few.

Cleaning Granite & Quartz

The methods for quartz and granite cleaning are essentially the same. For quick cleanups use hot water and a sponge. Avoid soap as this forms a film.

Using a quality stone cleaner for messes and end-of-day cleaning is best for both granite and quartz countertops.

Heat, Scratches & Repair

Granite takes heat better than man-made stone. Quartz can take hot pans for a short period, but the resins used in engineered stone countertops can be scorched.

Neither surface will scratch or etch from acids. Both can pit or chip, though.

Quartz fades in the sun.

The one kicker… Repair... granite can almost always be repaired, stains removed, etc., while man-made stone discoloration is often permanent... slight edge to granite.

Style: Man-Made Stone vs. Granite Colors

For my tastes and many in the design world, quartz patterns tend to look uniform and man-made. Man-made stone doesn't possess the allure and unique colors, depth, textures or patterns of granite.

But in recent years, most quartz countertop brands have introduced new colors that are a leap beyond. Many are truly gorgeous and not just the same old speckled patterns.

Color preference is a matter of personal taste, so no real "winner" in this category.

Bottom Line... Which is Best?

Differences, pros, and cons do exist, but none is significant enough to elevate one material over the other definitively.

I know the desire is to crown a clear winner but...

Practically speaking, it's an even match.

Both man-made stone and granite are at the top of the list of all countertop materials. Both make excellent kitchen countertops.

Man-made stone is slightly less durable/repairable than granite, so I always lean toward granite.

However, no surface is perfect and potential problems can occur with either material. Or you could go a lifetime without any issue.

The best choice boils down to your personal color preference and price. And that's a win for you.

If you find that perfect granite color, then great... go for it.

But, if a quartz color catches your eye, I wouldn't talk you out of it. A quartz countertop will serve you just as well.

Comments for Granite vs Man-Made Stone

Click here to add your own comments

Granite Etching - Vermont White
by: Anonymous

Granite absolutely does etch! Careful Margarita fans, my Vermont White granite does not like lime juice… and a rust mark, good luck!

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Vermont White is not granite. It is a dolomitic marble which is often sold erroneously as granite, or quartzite.

Mislabeling marble as quartzite is an unfortunate problem that has cropped up in the marketplace. In many cases, it is done by accident but also quartzite is more expensive than marble so sometimes it is purposely mislabeled.

Dolomite is a harder type of marble than your standard marble, like Carrara marble.

Dolomitic marble will still etch from acids (juice, coffee, wine, dressings, and household cleaners) like common marble, but these etch marks are more difficult to repair since the stone is harder than typical marble.

Rust stains are also common with white marble. Often white marble will contain embedded iron deposits that oxidize and cause rust stains.

It's a more common problem in showers and floors, which are either wet areas or exposed to more moisture than countertops.

Love this article
by: D. Smith

This article is very informative and fair. Thank you for your honest opinion.

=== Countertop Specialty comment:

Glad you loved it D. Thanks for your feedback. We always aim to present an unbiased perspective on any topic so you the reader / consumer get the whole story and can then make the best choice for your project.

Choices After 50 Years Professional Experience
by: Graeme Smith

Most of your facts of comparison are good but after working with granite for 50 years and engineered stone since it came on the market I can advise my experience.

If you scratch engineered stone you cannot re-polish the surface to remove the scratch.

If it stains badly you can’t remove the stain without damaging the polish.

If you scratch granite (which is highly unlikely) it can easily be repolished.

Any stains in granite can also be removed easily even with acid without affecting the polished surface.

After working with both materials (granite and quartz countertops) I can’t agree the differences between both materials are small, as I know granite is far superior for wear and staining which makes it much easier to care for.

I hope this can help.

Regards, Graeme Smith.

No Comparison
by: Fred

I’m astonished that nobody understands the significance of having a piece of the earths history in their home when they buy a granite countertop.

There is little difference between granite and quartz in terms of appearance and durability.

I think quartz countertops may be more susceptible to chemicals and heat staining, however, having in your home a naturally formed piece of the earth's geology aged anywhere from 1.75 to 4.5 billion years old hands down beats any claim-to-fame that quartz has.

One thing makes granite the winner for me
by: Anonymous

I think there are some beautiful quartz products, however the fact that you can not put hot pots on it would stop me from ever purchasing it.

It simply isn't the workhorse granite is. I have a girlfriend that cracked her Corian while using an electric frying pan on her countertop.

I wonder whether quartz would also have that problem. Also natural over man made always seems to stand the test of time.

Sticking with granite. Thank you Countertop Specialty
by: Anonymous

Quartz is very clean and can look very sophisticated and for this reason I was considering replacing my granite with it.

After reading this I have reconsidered. There is a plethora of misleading information regarding quartz on the internet.

Despite the many claims of its indestructibility there are many online reviews from consumers who purchased quartz, thinking it is indestructible only to have etching and stain issues.

They feel misled, and I agree. I am glad I found out before switching.

My biggest complaint about my granite is scratching. It scratches like glass.

It has held up well over 13 years, but I always have place mats on the counter to avoid new scratches.

It is a very dark granite, so it is more mirror-like and shows scratches that a lighter granite with more patterning would not.

The granite shown in the above picture would be a perfect choice. I wish I had gone with it 13 years ago.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Glad you found our article helpful!

Granite is very difficult to scratch, so you really should not have an issue. It's a bit strange that you've experienced this so often.

Marble, on the other hand, will scratch easily. Perhaps your stone is marble and not granite?

However, dark granites do tend to show dust, debris, and smudges more readily.

Quartz countertops compared to granite
by: Robert

My opinion is that Granite is a product of the past. Yes, it is beautiful, but there is no comparison with the superior product performance of Quartz tops, especially Silestone and Cambria.

Low-to-no maintenance, 15-year warranties, anti-microbial protection, consistency in your color selection, and added strength are just a few of the things to look at when making the decision between granite and quartz.

Not to mention that Quartz is the fourth hardest stone on earth right next to diamonds, sapphire, and topaz, and this gives you scratch resistance that granite can't hold a candle to.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Thanks for your input! You are right that Silestone and other engineered quartz countertop brands like Cambria and Zodiac are excellent products. However, your assessment is a bit biased and over-exaggerates the differences and benefits of quartz.

Scratch resistance is equal. Engineered quartz is not harder or more scratch resistant than granite. For all intents and purposes, they are equal since neither will scratch. Quartz is found in granite, after all.

15-year warranty? Granite will last a lot longer than 15 years without needing a warranty.

Low-to-no maintenance? Really? Then why is a warranty needed? This statement is common in quartz marketing, is very misleading, and will have those customers with permanent stains on quartz scratching his or her head.

Quartz is generally very easy to clean and maintain (just like granite). However, such statements make people believe quartz is impervious to damage, which is false. Precautions must be taken like with any surface.

Many several common household products will stain or discolor quartz countertops.

Anti-microbial qualities and cleanliness of quartz and granite are essentially equal according to independent studies on the matter. Both surfaces rate almost exactly the same and thus, second only to stainless steel for "cleanability".

And did you know that setting a hot pan on a quartz surface could damage (melt) the binding resin? Not so with granite.

Color and pattern consistency or repetition is a matter of taste. Some people like a uniform pattern others appreciate the entirely unique movement found in natural granite.

Bottom line... if you ask anyone in the industry (builders, designers, installers)... granite is still preferred.

Well, many designers prefer quartz these days due to the updated colors now available. But many designers are not fully aware of the maintenance issues. They want a stunning look above all.

Which is why many designers will suggest marble for kitchen countertops. Looks fabulous, but they ignore the fact that marble kitchen countertops will require a lot more maintenance from the homeowner.

As I've noted before, in luxury homes very few install quartz over granite. Given that the cost is essentially the same for either, that says something.

The odd thing is that people in the quartz camp like to argue that quartz countertops are night-and-day, no-contest, hands-down, far better than granite and that's just not the case.

Vice versa, granite can't claim any vast superiority over quartz either (except repairability).

As the article attempts to explain, when all details are objectively examined granite has a slight edge, but only slight and your verdict will depend on where you focus.

Silestone is recognized as a great, long-lasting surface for your home, but it doesn't surpass the performance of granite in any appreciable way, yet it does have some problems with color integrity and damage that granite does not have.

No countertop surface is without weaknesses, so if you like Silestone, install it. It isn't a contest.

My aim is to help readers wade through the actual facts, so they don't make decisions based on the marketing hype that accompanies this debate and stretches the truth.

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